Discussion section

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Discussion section
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Purpose of discussion section

• Re-integrate findings of current study into
  previous research
• Why important?

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Mechanics

• Appears directly after results no page break
• First section rationale and summary of findings
• Recaps why did study, what expected, and what
  found
• Also compares and contrasts findings of current
  study to those of previous research
• If inconsistent, speculates on why

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Mechanics, continued

• Second section strengths and limitations
• Key address methods, not results
• (remember, goal of study is to find out about
  world, not to support hypothesis)
• Do not simply list!
• Explain why strengths are strengths
• Explain why limitations are limitations
• How could overcome
• What would expect to find if this was done, and
  why (supported, where possible, by previous
  research)

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Mechanics, continued

• Third section additional directions for future
  research
• Address new ways to answer broad question, or to
  address phenomenon of study, again supported by
  previous research, where possible
• Key go back to the original idea of the study,
  and why it was done

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Final part of paper

• Pithy conclusion, stating generally what is known
  now that was not known before the study was done

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Applying these ideas

• Pull out McNulty Karney (2002) and look at the
  discussion section